Dragon's beard grass is the whole plant of the grass-like plant called Eragrostis pilosa. During September and October, the aboveground parts are harvested and dried for use. Let's take a look at the specific uses of this herb with the editor!
【Methods of Growing Dragon's Beard Grass】
1. Adequate sunlight
Dragon's beard grass is a hardy grass. When cultivating it, it is important to maintain adequate sunlight and bright light. Under the influence of sunlight, the grass can grow vigorously.
2. Timely watering
Dragon's beard grass requires a lot of water and thrives in a moist environment. If it lacks water for a long time, the soil may become dry, causing yellowing and withering of the leaves and affecting normal growth.
3. Proper fertilization
Proper fertilization of dragon's beard grass includes two applications. The first is during the vigorous growth period, which is in mid to late May. The second application is in mid to late June. The fertilizer used should ensure balanced nutrition, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
4. Suitable soil
Dragon's beard grass is suitable for growing in slightly alkaline sandy soil with a pH value of around 7-8.3. If grown in pots, it is necessary to prepare suitable soil.
【Uses of Dragon's Beard Grass】
Dragon's beard grass, also known as "mountain grass" or "straw raincoat grass" in the local area, has clumped stems that are long and slender, reaching over a meter in length. It has tea-brown scales and leaves that grow from the lower part of the stem. In summer, flower stalks grow about 10 centimeters from the tip of the stem, bearing many small flowers in a light green color.
When harvested in autumn, dragon's beard grass is characterized by its lack of nodes, long fibers, good tensile strength, and milky white color. It is an excellent raw material for making stencil printing paper, copying paper, and banknote paper. It is also a good material for spinning ropes. In addition, it can be used as filling material for soft furniture, and in some places, it is processed into floor mats.
After harvesting and cleaning, dragon's beard grass can be twisted into ropes and used to weave grass shoes, which are very sturdy.
In addition to making grass shoes, dragon's beard grass can also be used to make straw raincoats. It has a wide range of uses in rural areas.
